Have you tried many remedies for your nagging headaches but are still unable to get rid of them? Has it ever struck you that TMJ disorders or temporomandibular disorder could be the cause?
Maybe you are unaware, like many, that TMJ disorders and headaches have a close connection. Of course, headaches are not the only symptom related to TMJ, as you will learn later in this blog.
According to a survey result that was published by NIH, the prevalence of TMJ was 31% for adults. Often, people mistake TMJ symptoms for other conditions and try other treatments in vain. Thankfully, TMJ disorder is fully treatable under the expert care of a maxillofacial surgeon. Getting the right knowledge about a disorder is the first step towards effective treatment, and this blog will help you with that, guiding you through all you need to know about TMJ, including TMJ disorder symptoms, causes, and TMJ treatment options.
Understanding TMJ disorders and its Signs
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ), located on either side of your face, connect your lower jawbone to your skull and are responsible for movements like chewing and speaking. When dysfunction occurs in these joints or the surrounding muscles, it can lead to TMJ disorders.
TMJ disorder symptoms can include:
- Popping or clicking of the jaw
- Ear pain
- Shoulder or neck pain
- Toothache
- Ringing in your ears
- Jaw pain
- Difficulty in opening or closing your mouth
- Headaches
- Migraine.
- Malocclusion or changes in the way your teeth fit together
Common Causes of TMJ Disorders
TMJ dysfunction doesn’t occur from just one cause; it’s often a result of multiple factors working together.
Common TMJ disorder causes can include:
- Injuries to the jaw, including fractures or dislocations.
- Grinding or clenching of teeth, also known by the term ‘bruxism’.
- Arthritis affecting the jaw joint.
- High levels of stress that can strain jaw muscles.
In addition to these causes, you need to know about some habits that make TMJ dysfunction even worse, like using your teeth to open things, slouching, chewing on objects like pens, or constantly biting into tough foods. Even grinding your teeth during the day or sleeping in awkward positions can put extra pressure on your jaw.
If you see these signs of TMJ in someone close to you or in yourself, it is time to consult a maxillofacial surgeon to confirm if the symptoms indicate TMJ. Surgeons use specific techniques to ascertain if the symptoms are TMJ-related. Let us look at them now.
TMJ Assessment methods
Maxillofacial surgeons diagnose TMJ disorder during a dental checkup or physical exam. They’ll start by observing how well you can open and close your mouth, checking for any pain or restrictions. They’ll also press around your jaw and face to identify any tender spots or discomfort.
To get a more detailed view of your jaw joints and surrounding structures, your provider may suggest imaging tests like:
- Dental X-rays
- CT scans
- MRIs, or
- TMJ arthroscopy (a small camera inserted into the joint).
For a more in-depth assessment of TMJ dysfunction, they may also measure your jaw’s range of motion through three different movements: pain-free, unassisted, and assisted. First, they’ll measure how wide you can open your mouth without pain using a ruler placed between your upper and lower front teeth. Then, they’ll check how wide you can open even if it causes some discomfort, followed by assisted movement, where they gently apply pressure to see your jaw’s full range.
Other tests include lateral jaw motion, where the surgeon checks how far you can move your jaw from side to side, and protrusive jaw motion, which measures how far you can move your jaw forward. Lastly, they’ll check for any noises or tenderness in your jaw by gently feeling the joints and listening with a stethoscope.
Treatment options: Surgical and Non-surgical
There are several effective TMJ treatment options, including non-surgical and surgical methods to manage TMJ disorders. Non-surgical methods range from medications to physical therapy.
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Medications
Doctors may prescribe different types of medications based on the severity of your TMJ dysfunction:
- Pain Relievers: Medications to help reduce discomfort and ease jaw pain.
- NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs): These are used to minimize inflammation and relieve pain.
- Muscle Relaxants: If you grind or clench your teeth, muscle relaxers can help ease tension in the jaw.
- Physical Therapy
This can be an excellent way to relieve TMJ pain. Physical therapy may involve special exercises to stretch and strengthen the jaw muscles, improving your range of motion and reducing discomfort over time.
Surgical Treatments
If non-surgical options don’t provide TMJ pain relief, your healthcare provider may consider surgical interventions like:
1. TMJ Arthroscopy
In this minimally invasive procedure, a tiny incision is made near the ear, allowing the surgeon to insert a thin tube attached to a camera to access and treat the joint. It allows for reshaping bone, removing scar tissue, or repositioning the joint disk.
2. Open-Joint Surgery
In more complex cases of TMJ dysfunction, open-joint surgery might be necessary. This involves making a larger incision to gain direct access to the jaw joint, allowing the surgeon to repair or replace parts of the joint for better functionality.
Post TMJ Disorders Surgery Care Tips
By following these post-surgery tips and TMJ diet recommendations given by your surgeon, you can expect a smooth recovery without side effects:
- Keep the bandage on the surgical site for 1–2 days. A small amount of blood on the bandage is normal. You can remove the bandage once the bleeding stops.
- Expect some bruising and swelling. Use ice packs (20 minutes on & 20 minutes off) for the first 48 hours.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions for TMJ pain relief by taking prescribed pain or antibiotic medications.
- Stick to a soft diet for 2–6 weeks after surgery. Foods like khichdi are a good option.
- Do gentle jaw stretches and range-of-motion exercises to aid recovery. In the first week, aim to open your mouth wide enough to fit two fingers between your teeth.
- Physical therapy appointments will help with recovery. Your therapist will guide you through TMJ exercises.
- Avoid heavy lifting, bending over, or activities that increase pressure in your head.
Conclusion
As you can see, TMJ is easily treatable, and you can easily get rid of symptoms like that clicking sound you hear when you open your jaw or the nagging headache that would not go away no matter what. Remember that if you have TMJ disorder symptoms, you need to search for a TMJ specialist near me and consult an expert maxillofacial surgeon with good knowledge and expertise in TMJ procedures.
At Gnathos Facial, experienced maxillofacial surgeons use the most advanced techniques, considering your general health and underlying conditions to relieve your TMJ dysfunction symptoms. They are committed to restoring the quality of your life, ensuring you speak, smile or eat without pain.
FAQs.
1. What is the recommended diet after TMJ surgery?
Your diet after TMJ surgery should consist of nutritious food that needs very little chewing. Avoid hard foods that will stain your jaw.
2. Are TMJ exercises effective?
TMJ exercises recommended by a trained physiotherapist, such as stretching, strengthening and relaxation exercises, reduce your pain and improve the range of motion in your jaw in mild cases of TMJ.
3. Is TMJ common in children?
TMJ disorders in children are common, and most of them occur due to factors like grinding of teeth or clenching the jaw repeatedly.
4. Can TMJ heal completely?
If diagnosed early and treated by an experienced maxillofacial surgeon, TMJ dysfunction is fully treatable and manageable through non-surgical methods like medications or surgical methods like TMJ arthroscopy.
5. How can you prevent TMJ disorder?
Some risk factors of TMJ can be avoided by practising good posture or wearing a mouth guard if you clench or grind your teeth.